outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

[PowerAddict]

Well, I picked up a "project boat" (if you will). 1985 sleekcraft ambassador 26' Its solid, needs some work...but looks B.A.!
Its got a volvo 290a on it. The lower unit's pretty screwed, the upper needs bearings, bushings, boots, etc.

So I'm debating as to what I should do.

Firstly, is it possible/has anyone ever, put a merc. drive on a volvo?

OR should I just try to find a lower unit and do all the other maintenance?

OR should I just swap the whole thing over to a merc?

Whatcha think?

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

1. is it possible/has anyone ever, put a merc. drive on a volvo?

2. should I just try to find a lower unit and do all the other maintenance?

3. should I just swap the whole thing over to a merc?

1. No way will a Merc drive fit on a Volvo transom shield.

2. Yea, that would be the best choice, but you need a complete drive, not just a lower unit.

3. Only if you want to put a new transom in and cut a new hole for a Merc drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

3. Only if you want to put a new transom in and cut a new hole for a Merc drive.

Ayuh,... They say Volvo is a Better drive,...
But,...
The Dollars,+ Cents of it says to glass in,+ go with a Merc....

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

The Dollars,+ Cents of it says to glass in,+ go with a Merc....

Are you sure of that? I a new or used drive cheaper than a new transom, the labor to cut the hole where it belongs. and to install a completely different engine and drive setup, including helm controls? Especially for someone that doesn't know what it takes to make that change?

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

Especially for someone that doesn't know what it takes to make that change?

Ayuh,... I should have prefaced with "From the DIYer/ Packratter point of View"......
Especially with the lack of Volvo Packratter parts that can be found.....

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

Thanks for the replies guys..they were pretty much what I was expecting.

My head's been spinning trying to figure out what to do and I just wanted to be certain what woulnd't work.

2. Yea, that would be the best choice, but you need a complete drive, not just a lower unit.

Why must I get a whole drive?

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

The lower unit's pretty screwed, the upper needs bearings, bushings, boots, etc.

I probably should have said you MAY need a complete drive.

If the lower is that bad, the oil circulates from the lower to the upper. Any metal from a bad gear in the lower, is in the gear lube will also be in the upper

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

gotcha.

Do I have to use the 290 drive, or can i use something else, 270 or 280 or something as long as it as the v8 1.6 ratio? Is the 290 a better drive?

What about using a differen't lower unit with the 290 upper? Possible?

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: outdrive swap possibilities?? engine swap? Opinons please.

^^ what about the drive/lower unit swapping?